The National tribune., 1887-11-03
The 18th Pa. at the Battle Of Rappahannoek
Station.

Station.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I saw an
article in regard TO the battle Of Rappahan-
mock Station. i was an eyewitness. and also
took an active part in that battle Nov. z, 1863
IL was stated that the 9th Me- did nearly all
of the hard fighting. This is not so, although
the 9th Me. did bravely, and deserves much
praise.
Early on the morning OF Nov. we broke
camp which was situated mile or two south
from Manassas Junction. The day being pleas
ant, il was easy TO march. We were in tho
Sixth Corps lSedgwick), First Division
Wright. Third Brigade (Russell). Before we
reached the battlefield We had TO march over
hills and through marshes, and in some places
we had 10 wade. Some of the soldiers seemed
10 be in sad frame Of mind. Cards wcre
thrown away. We had man in our company
by the name of George Monroe. lie was full
Of fun and wit. lie noticed that some of the
soldiers were downhearted. All at once Mon
roe sung out:
Boys, oh, boys, prepare to dance! The ball
will soon open!"
These words cheered us up, so that we all
laughed. The ball did soon open cannon
doomed and shot and shell few in the air. We
reached the battlefield early in the afternoon
OF the 9Th of November. We took a position in
the edge Of a piece Of oak woods, facing an
open field. Our officers gave US orders TO pre-
sent a solid front 10 the enemy, so as 10 make
tho rebels believe that we were stronger than
we really were.
The Confederates numbered 1000, of Early's
Division. Ewel's Corps. They held a strong
position on a hill behind fort and rifle pits
on the north bank of the Rappahannock.
When we reached the battlefield the 9th Ne.
bad already thrown out skirmish-line, and
the rebels were not slow TO respond, for they
were ready TO meet the Union skirmishers. l
4
line with his lower jaw hanging. IL was sad
sight 10 me, this being my first battle.
On knoll the Union artillerymen were very
active. going and coming with their horses on
full run, unlimbering their cannon and
throwing shot and shell into the rebel works.
In a piece of woods To our left was planted a
brass battery, which was kept busy. 1t was
grand 10 watch the flying artillery on the
knoll and the battery in the edge Of the
woods; it seemed almost like clock
In the open field, marching by the flank, was
column of Union soldiers. All at once n shell
burst among the troops and the shell made a
wide gap. 1t was as when n farmer takes a
scythe 10 cut down the grain or grass in the
harvest field
With shout and ringing cheer the Union
skirmishers drove the rebel skirmishers into
their works. then falling back a short dis
lance till the support came up. The view of
the battle was grand, but not so nice when the
time came TO take an active part in il.
A little before shutdown Gen. Russell, OF the
Third Brigade, gave orders TO Col. Peter Elma-
ker, of the 10th Pa, 10 advance across the
held. While We were advancing the rebels threw
shot and shell at US, but they went over our
heads. We then had orders TO halt and lie
behind hill. A little while before dusk We
again advanced in good order each man keep
ing his place in the ranks. We came TO a halt
near ditch, which had water in il knee deep
Reaching the other side we had orders TO fix
bayonets and charge, making all the noise we
could by yelling and shouting, so as 10 confuse
the rebels. When the rebels heard US they gave
one of their long, blood-curdliRg yells. and
poured into US a heavy voiley of musketTy
While advancing toward the rebel works, TO
the right of the fort, could see the flashes of
nearly 1000 muskets The bullets came over
my head like hail. When we reached the
works we drove the enemy out at the point of
the bayonet, but not until We had some Sc
we're fighting and lost many men in killed.
wounded aud missing. When we made the
charge, the soldiers of the 9th Ne. were also
active, charging and driving the rebels out Of
the fort. i saw a rebel and q Union soldier
lying together, dead, with their hands on the
barrels of their muskets. Going to the right
i saw some Union soldiers fighting at close
quarters over rebel flag. Our boys got the
flag.
AT night. when the roll-call was sounded
10 men, with myself, of Co. ID, 18th Pa. an
swcred TO their names.s The rest were killed,
wounded or missing.
Our beloved and brave Lieutenant VIM.
Cox, was MORALLY wounded, and died soon
alter the battle.-R0BERT ALICE, Co, ID, 18th
Pa, Mount Holley n J.